Separating-tool for expansible pavements or sidewalks.



PATENTED MAY 16, 1905.

4 J. H. MILLER. SEPARATING TOOL FOR EXPANSIBLE PAVEMENTS 0R SIDEWALKS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15,1904.

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UNITED STATES Patented May 16, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

j SEPARATlNG-TOOL FOR EXP ANSIBLE PAVEMENTS OR SIDEWALKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,992, dated May 16, 1905.

Application filed June 15, 1904.. Serial No. 212,644.

To aZZ whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, J AMES HENRY MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battlecreek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Separating-Tools for Expansible- Pavements or Sidewalks; and I doherebydeclare the following tobe a full, clear,;and-- exact description of the invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art -to which it appertains to make and use the terial which when hardened possesses the requisite strength. It is my purpose to provide a tool that will separate the adjoining blocks forming a sidewall: or pavement in such .manner that the blocks will be entirely free and independent from one another.

It is my purpose also to provide a tool that will separate the adjoining blocks forming a sidewalk or pavement in such manner that when one block has been formed an adjoining block can be under the process of construction.

It is my purpose also to provide a tool that will separate the adjoining blocks forming a sidewalk or pavement in such manner that alternate blocks maybe differently colored without the color of-one block intermingling with the color of the adjacent block.

It is my purpose also to provide a tool that will separate the adjacent blocks forming a sidewalk or pavement in such manner that the corner of a previously-formed block cannot become dented or injured in the formation of an adjoining block. I

It is my purpose also to provide a tool that will separate the adjoining blocks forming a sidewalk or pavement that may be removed from between the blocks without injury to either of said blocks; and it is my further purpose to so construct a tool that it shall be sim ple, durable, and convenient.

To these ends my invention consists in cerseparating-tool.

' tainnovel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claim which follows this specification.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a plan view of a sidewalk under the process of construction and my improved separating-tool between a fully-formed block and one under the process of construction. Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1 with one of the side curbs removed and shows a tamp in the manner of packing the grout formation adjacent to my improved Fig. 3 is an end View of the curbing looking toward my improved separating-tool when in place preparatory to the filling in of grout formation. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of my improved separating-tool. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of my improved separating-tool, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a separating-tool in a modified form.

Like marks of reference refer to corresponding parts in the different views.

Referring to the drawings, a represents the side curbing between which the artificial-stone blocks 6 are formed. This curbing in the usual form is made from timbers of a uniform breadth and thickness set so that their narrow dimensions will be uppermost, as shown, the depth of the curbing corresponding to the thickness of the walk or pavement to be built.

In commencing the walk a short cross or end piece 0 is placed against the sides cm, and adjacent to said piece the breadth of a block a secondary cross-piece d is placed. The first block having been formed in this in'closure, the secondary cross-pieced is removed to a position the breadth of a second block along the curbing, and preparatory to forming said second and succeeding blocks I employ a separating-tool the construction, object, and mode of operation of which I will now proceed to describe. 7

The separating-tool A comprises a narrow rectangular supporting or handle member 6, either end of which is adapted to rest upon the side curbing a a, between whichthe walk is formed, and a depending metallic blade f, the latterof which extends across the space formed between the curbing and of abreadth corresponding to the thickness of the blocks to be formed. This blade in the preferred form is bent near its upper edge at right angles and provides a wing g, through which nails or screws may be passed to secure the same to its supporting handle member, the blade and the handle member of the face or working side presenting a smooth and uniform vertical surface, as shown.

The first block having been formed as aforesaid, the spacing-tool A is suspended between the side curbing we, so that the handle member a will rest at either end upon said curbing and the blade will fit snugly against the block encompassed by said curbing, covering both the width and breadth. The vertical face of the blade and handle front the open space within which the new block is to be formed. Fig. 2 represents a view in which three blocks have been completed and the fourth under the process of construction and illustrates the mode of procedure in filling in the grouting comprising the block after the spacing-tool A has been placed in working position. In this figure, It represents a tamping-tool, such as is employed in the construction of cement walks and pavements, to pound down the filling of coarse grouting preparatory to placing on the top dressing. As will.

be observed, the tamping can be done against the separating-blade f without injury to the finished previously-formed block, and in the hands of a careless operative should the tamp strike the support handle member a no injury will result to the finished block, owing to the same being thoroughly protected along its forward corner edge by the overhanging stiffened supporting-handle. The block having been finished between which the separating-tool has been used, the handle member 0 is elevated and the blade f withdrawn and a succeeding block now proceeded with in like manner.

In the application of my improved separating-tool no injury can befall either block in its withdrawal after the blocks are finished, owing to the supporting-handle a being above the finished blocks and affording a ready means for withdrawing the blade from between newly-formed blocks.

In withdrawing the blade f a narrow aperture j is left between the blocks comprising the walk and each block is of itself independent and separate, a provision whereby any heaving caused by freezing or the upheaval of the underlying foundation from the growth of roots, &c., will have no tendency to crack or injure the block, the same being capable of being raised, lowered, or removed without injury to the adjoining block.

In a modified form, Fig. 6, the blade f consists of a flat metallic strip screwed to the broad side of a supporting handle member the purpose and mode of operation being identical to the former.

I am aware that tar-paper and other means have been employed for the purpose, with varying results; but I am not aware that a separatingtool has been employed that both separates the blocks comprising the walk or pavement and at the same time answers the purpose of a supporting handle member and a block-protector.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a separating-tool, a handle member rectangular in cross-section, a blade secured to said handle, the face side of said blade and handle presenting the same vertical alinement, the aforesaid handle adapted to rest at either end upon side curbing and said blade adapted to extend from curb to curb, and of a breadth corresponding to the depth of said curbing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

J. HENRY MILLER.

Witnesses:

H. F. WING-Ara, FANNIE H. VVINGA'IE. 

